Dental Sealants in New York, NY

About Sealants at Rock Dental

When we apply a dental sealant, we paint a plastic coating on top of your teeth. This makes your teeth smooth getting rid of the rough edges, depressions, and grooves that are commonly found on teeth. It is essentially a protective coating against tooth decay and cavities.

The most common place to paint sealants is on back teeth since they are often irregular. They can also be very hard to reach, even if you brush your teeth regularly. We use it more on children though we do perform sealants on adults too!

Why Sealing the Grooves Helps Prevent Cavities

Back teeth do most of your chewing, and their surfaces are full of narrow pits and fissures. Some of those grooves are thinner than a single toothbrush bristle, so food and bacteria can settle in places that brushing does not fully reach. That is a big part of why cavities so often start on molars. A sealant flows into those grooves and hardens, which gives the tooth a smoother surface that is easier to keep clean.

Sealants are a preventive step, which means they are typically placed before a problem starts. Many children get them soon after their adult molars come in, but adults with deep grooves and no fillings in those teeth can benefit too. They do not replace daily brushing, flossing or regular checkups. Think of them as one more layer of protection. Your dentist will look at each tooth and advise whether a sealant makes sense for you or your child.

What to Expect When You Get Sealants

Placing a sealant is usually a short, comfortable visit. Your tooth is cleaned and dried, then a mild conditioning gel is applied for a few seconds so the sealant can grip the enamel. After a rinse and another dry, the liquid sealant is brushed into the grooves. A curing light is commonly used to harden it. In most cases there is no drilling and no numbing, and each tooth typically takes only a few minutes.

You can generally eat and drink soon afterward, and your bite may feel slightly different for a day or two as you get used to the new surface. Sealants can last for several years, though that varies from person to person, and they can wear or chip over time. Our team will check them during your routine exams and let you know if one needs to be touched up or replaced. Keep up your normal brushing and flossing at home.